BY JUDE OSSAI / ENUGU
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Media practitioners (including the retirees) from Nsukka Cultural Zone of Enugu State under the auspices of Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF) on Thursday, paid tribute to Senator Okey Ezea who until his demise, represented Enugu North Senatorial District at the Upper House.
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A statement signed by Benson Whyte Ezugwu, Chairman and Felix Oguejiofor Abugu, Secretary of NJF, respectively, made available to newsmen, the group expressed shock over the death of the federal lawmaker and business mogul.
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Parts of the statement read:
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“The Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF), deeply express shock over the passing of our own Distinguished Senator Okechukwu Nzeogwu Ezea (aka Ideke), who until his death, represented the good people of Enugu North Senatorial District of Enugu State.
“The news of the sudden passing of Senator Ezea, an NJF partner and strong voice for the Nsukka Cultural Zone in the 10th Senate, came to us as the most shocking and saddening news in recent time.
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“We recall that, only last month, precisely on October 2, 2025, Senator Ezea was the Chief Guest of Honour at the 2025 NJF Annual Convention held at the Jerry Mariot Hotel, Nsukka, though represented by Honorable Ikechukwu Ezeugwu.
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“Although he was not physically present at that event, his message of hope and promise of a greater legislative activism for Nsukka in the course of his first term in the senate, contained no inkling whatsoever of his imminent journey to the Great Beyond.
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“We will however, remember Senator Ezea as a man who ran the good race for God and his people, the people of Nsukka Cultural Zone. He was an Nsukka torch bearer through and through.
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“From the name of his highly successful shipping company, Ideke Shipping Lines to the core messages in all his political campaigns from 2007 until 2023 when he eventually won election to the Senate the late Ezea had, perhaps more than any other of his contemporaries, worked all through his life to uplift the status of the Nsukka person in Nigeria’s sociopolitical and economic spheres.
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“We appreciate the fact that Ideke did not fight in vain because today, both the land and people of Nsukka zone are no longer pushovers.
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“As we mourn the death of a great man, who shared the same vision with NJF, which is to make Nsukka great, we recognize that death is a debt every human being owes Creation.
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“The demise of Senator Ezea has really left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill in the leadership of Nsukka nation. A great man; a rare gem; a patriotic Nigerian, who fought all his life for justice, equity and fairness for his people.
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“We pray for the repose of his soul and to the Almighty God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
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“Adieu, Ideke Ladoee oooo!
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